Earthdog trial
Encyclopedia
An earthdog trial tests the working ability and instinct of the small, often short-legged terrier
s or Dachshund
s. These dogs were bred to hunt vermin
and other quarry which lived in underground dens. Earthdog den trials involve man-made underground tunnels that the dogs must negotiate, while scenting a rat
, "the quarry." The dog must follow the scent to the quarry and then "work" the quarry. Depending on the sanctioning organization, “working” means barking, scratching, staring, pawing, digging; any active behavior. The quarry is protected at all times by wooden bars across the end of the tunnel. The hunting encounter is controlled, and neither the dog nor the quarry (usually two rats) are endangered by the activity.
In Canada
, earthdog trials are sanctioned by the Canadian Kennel Club
(CKC). In the United States
, two major organizations sanction earthdog trials: the American Kennel Club
(AKC) and the American Working Terrier Association
(AWTA).
, and purebred dogs that have been assigned “Indefinite Listing Privilege” (ILP) numbers, may also participate. In comparison to the American Working Terrier Association (AWTA) tests, fewer breeds are permitted in AKC tests, with mixed breeds
being excluded altogether. The following breeds are classified as eligible to participate in AKC Earthdog tests:
Introduction To Quarry (IQ I and IQ II) : Dogs that have never competed at an earthdog trial will need to be introduced to the quarry. Dogs have different levels of prey drive
and some need more encouragement than others. The Introduction to Quarry is simply designed to acquaint a dog with "going to ground", following a scent trail and “working a rat". At this stage, the dog is asked to negotiate a 10 feet (3 m) tunnel with a single right-angle turn. At the end of the tunnel is a rat in a cage, which is placed behind dowel bars. The handler may talk to their dog and encourage the dog to “work” the rat. The judge may also move the rat cage about or make noises to “incite the dog's instincts".
Junior Earthdog (JE) : Junior Earthdog (JE) is the first level of competition in which a title may be earned. In JE the tunnel is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and has three right-angle turns. The dog has only 30 seconds to traverse the tunnel and reach the quarry. The dog must also work the quarry for 60 seconds and then allow the handler to remove it when the time has elapsed. To earn the JE certificate, the dog must successfully pass the JE test twice under two different judges.
Senior Earthdog (SE) : To earn a Senior Earthdog (SE) title, the dog must receive three qualifying scores from two different judges, achieved by accomplishing the following: follow a 20 feet (6.1 m) scent line to a tunnel entrance that the dog cannot see from ground level; track through a pitch black 30 ft (9.1 m) tunnel containing three 90 degree turns to the rats; not be distracted by a false entrance/exit arrangement; not be distracted by a dead end tunnel that is scented with rat bedding; once at the rats, work the rats for 90 seconds (working is defined as barking, digging, scratching, biting the bars); after working the rats, and after the rats are removed from the tunnel, leave the tunnel when called by the handler and return to the handler within 90 seconds.
Master Earthdog (ME) : Master Earthdog is the ultimate title an earthdog can obtain. To achieve this title, two dogs are drawn at random. As a brace, the dogs hunt for the tunnel entrance from a distance of 100 to 300 yd (91.4 to 274.3 m). They must actively indicate where the tunnel entrance is located. Then, one at a time, the dogs move through the tunnel passing obstacles that simulate roots and constrictions in the tunnel. The master tunnel also has a false entrance/exit and a false den. Once at the quarry, dog must work the rats for 90 seconds and not be distracted by the judge scraping or digging alongside the tunnel. The scraping is meant to approximate the hunter digging down to the spot where the dog is holding the quarry at bay. The handler has 15 seconds to remove the dog from the tunnel after their 90 seconds of work is complete. Each dog is also judged on how well they "honor". While one dog is in the tunnel working, the other dog is staked out near the tunnel. The honor dog must show interest but must not make so much noise the judge cannot hear the dog working in the tunnel. Four passes under three different judges is required for a Master Earthdog title.
The AWTA awards Certificates of Gameness to terriers and Dachshunds who achieve a score of 100% in the AWTA open class. To qualify in the open class, a dog must be released near the trial's 30 feet (9.1 m) earth tunnel opening, find its way into the tunnel and reach the quarry, all within 30 seconds (50% of score) and then “work” the rat continuously for a full 60 seconds (remaining 50% of score). Timing starts from the moment the dog is released by the handler. The dog may enter the tunnel and come out or walk around the tunnel, but it must get to the rat within the time allotted. However, once it reaches the rat, it must remain with it for the aforementioned 60 seconds.
The following breeds are recognized (and therefore able to compete) in AWTA den trials:
Other small terrier breeds may compete in the miscellaneous class.
Terrier
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just a couple of pounds to over 70 pounds and are usually categorized by size or function...
s or Dachshund
Dachshund
The dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied dog breed belonging to the hound family. The standard size dachshund was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, while the miniature dachshund was developed to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits...
s. These dogs were bred to hunt vermin
Vermin
Vermin is a term applied to various animal species regarded by some as pests or nuisances and especially to those associated with the carrying of disease. Since the term is defined in relation to human activities, which species are included will vary from area to area and even person to person...
and other quarry which lived in underground dens. Earthdog den trials involve man-made underground tunnels that the dogs must negotiate, while scenting a rat
Rat
Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus...
, "the quarry." The dog must follow the scent to the quarry and then "work" the quarry. Depending on the sanctioning organization, “working” means barking, scratching, staring, pawing, digging; any active behavior. The quarry is protected at all times by wooden bars across the end of the tunnel. The hunting encounter is controlled, and neither the dog nor the quarry (usually two rats) are endangered by the activity.
In Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, earthdog trials are sanctioned by the Canadian Kennel Club
Canadian Kennel Club
The Canadian Kennel Club is the primary registry body for purebred dog pedigrees in Canada. Beyond maintaining the pedigree registry, the C.K.C...
(CKC). In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, two major organizations sanction earthdog trials: the American Kennel Club
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official...
(AKC) and the American Working Terrier Association
American Working Terrier Association
The American Working Terrier Association was founded in 1971 by Patricia Adams Lent to encourage and promote the ownership and working of earthworking terriers of correct size, conformation and character to be usable for their intended purpose. The organization currently includes about two hundred...
(AWTA).
AKC earthdog tests
AKC earthdog tests are intended as noncompetitive venues in which the handlers may gauge their dog’s natural hunting aptitude when presented with an underground hunting situation. According to the AKC General Regulations for Earthdog Tests, the noncompetitive program begins with a basic introduction to den work and quarry, progressing through gradual steps to the point where the dog can demonstrate that it is willing to perform the required tasks, including seeking its quarry and working it underground.Eligibility
Dogs that are registered with the AKC and are six months of age or older may participate in AKC earthdog tests. They do not need to be intactEntire (animal)
In animal fancy and animal husbandry, entire indicates an animal has not been desexed, i.e., spayed or neutered ....
, and purebred dogs that have been assigned “Indefinite Listing Privilege” (ILP) numbers, may also participate. In comparison to the American Working Terrier Association (AWTA) tests, fewer breeds are permitted in AKC tests, with mixed breeds
Mixed-breed dog
A mixed-breed dog, also known as a mutt or mongrel, is a dog whose ancestry is generally unknown and that has characteristics of two or more types of breeds. A mixed-breed may be a cross-breed dog, a random-bred dog, or a descendant of feral or pariah dog populations...
being excluded altogether. The following breeds are classified as eligible to participate in AKC Earthdog tests:
- Australian TerrierAustralian TerrierThe Australian Terrier is a small sized breed of dog of the terrier dog type. The breed was developed in Australia, although the ancestral types of dogs from which the breed descends were from Great Britain.- Appearance :...
- Bedlington TerrierBedlington TerrierThe Bedlington Terrier is a breed of terrier named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England.- Description :Appearance:...
- Border TerrierBorder TerrierThe Border Terrier is a small, rough-coated breed of dog of the terrier group. Originally bred as fox and vermin hunters, Border Terriers share ancestry with Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Bedlington Terriers....
- Cairn TerrierCairn TerrierThe Cairn Terrier is the oldest of the terrier breeds, originating in the Scottish Highlands and recognized as one of Scotland's earliest working dogs...
- Cesky TerrierCesky TerrierThe Cesky Terrier is a small terrier type dog originating in Czechoslovakia. The name is pronounced .- History :...
- DachshundDachshundThe dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied dog breed belonging to the hound family. The standard size dachshund was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, while the miniature dachshund was developed to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits...
- Dandie Dinmont TerrierDandie Dinmont TerrierA Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small Scottish breed of dog in the terrier family. The breed has a very long body, short legs, and a distinctive "top-knot" of hair on the head. A character in Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering has lent the name to the breed, with "Dandie Dinmont" thought to be...
- Glen of Imaal TerrierGlen of Imaal TerrierThe Glen of Imaal Terrier is a breed of dog of the terrier category and one of four Irish terrier breeds. It is sometimes called the Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Wicklow Terrier. It originates in the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow, Ireland...
- Parson Russell TerrierParson Russell TerrierThe Parson Russell Terrier is a breed of small white terrier that originates from the Fox Terriers of the 18th century. The breed is named after the person credited with the creation of this type of dog, the Reverend John "Jack" Russell...
- Lakeland TerrierLakeland TerrierThe Lakeland Terrier is a dog breed, which takes its name from its home of origin, the Lake District in England. The dog is a small to mid-size member of the Terrier family. While independent in personality, it interacts well with owners and all family members, and is mostly hypo-allergenic...
- Manchester TerrierManchester TerrierThe Manchester Terrier is a breed of dog of the smooth-haired terrier type.-Appearance:Manchester Terriers are considered by most to be the oldest of all identifiable terrier breeds, finding mention in works dating from as early as the 16th century. In 1570 Dr...
- Miniature Bull Terrier
- Miniature SchnauzerMiniature SchnauzerThe Miniature Schnauzer is a breed of small dog of the Schnauzer type that originated in Germany in the mid-to-late 19th century. Miniature Schnauzers developed from crosses between the Standard Schnauzer and one or more smaller breeds such as the Poodle and Affenpinscher.The breed remains one of...
- Norfolk TerrierNorfolk TerrierThe Norfolk Terrier is a British breed of dog. Prior to gaining recognition as an independent breed in 1960, it was a variety of the Norwich Terrier, distinguished from the "prick eared" Norwich by its "drop ears"...
- Norwich TerrierNorwich TerrierThe Norwich Terrier is a breed of dog. It originates in the United Kingdom and was bred to hunt small vermin or rodents.-Appearance:These terriers are one of the smallest terriers , with prick ears and a double coat, which come in red, tan, wheaten, black and tan, and grizzle.-Temperament:These...
- Rat TerrierRat TerrierThe Rat Terrier is an American dog breed with a rich and varied background as an all-around farm dog and hunting companion. Traditionally more of a type than a breed, they share much ancestry with the tough little mixed-breed dogs known as feists...
- Russell TerrierRussell TerrierThe Russell Terrier is a predominantly white working terrier with an insatiable instinct to hunt formidable quarry underground. The breed was derived from the Reverend John Russell's fox working terrier strains that were used in the 19th century for fox hunting. The Reverend's fox working strains...
- Scottish TerrierScottish TerrierThe Scottish Terrier , popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog. Initially one of the highland breeds of Terrier that were grouped under the name of Skye Terrier, it is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland, the other four being the modern Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and...
- Sealyham TerrierSealyham TerrierThe Sealyham Terrier is a dog breed of the terrier type. The Sealyham Terrier was originally developed in Wales.- History :thumb|right|A Sealyham Terrier photographed in 1915....
- Silky Terrier
- Skye TerrierSkye TerrierThe Skye Terrier is a breed of dog that is a long, low, hardy terrier.-Coat:The Skye is double coated, with a short, soft undercoat and a hard, straight topcoat. The ideal coat length is 5 inches , with no extra credit for a longer coat. The shorter hair of the head veils the forehead and...
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- Welsh TerrierWelsh TerrierThe Welsh Terrier is a British breed of dog. It was originally bred for hunting fox, rodents and badger , but during the last century it has mainly been bred for showing. Despite this, it has retained its terrier strength of character and therefore requires firm, non-aggressive handling...
- West Highland White TerrierWest Highland White TerrierThe West Highland White Terrier, commonly known as the Westie, is a Scottish breed of dog with a distinctive white coat. The modern breed is descended from a number of breeding programes of white terriers in Scotland prior to the 20th century...
- Wire Fox Terrier
Program
AKC earthdog tests differ from AWTA trials in that the AKC program is broken down into several more steps of increasing difficulty:Introduction To Quarry (IQ I and IQ II) : Dogs that have never competed at an earthdog trial will need to be introduced to the quarry. Dogs have different levels of prey drive
Prey drive
Prey drive is the instinctive inclination of a carnivore to pursue and capture prey.In dog training, prey drive can be used as an advantage because dogs with strong prey drive are also willing to pursue moving objects such as toys, which can then be used to encourage certain kinds of behavior, such...
and some need more encouragement than others. The Introduction to Quarry is simply designed to acquaint a dog with "going to ground", following a scent trail and “working a rat". At this stage, the dog is asked to negotiate a 10 feet (3 m) tunnel with a single right-angle turn. At the end of the tunnel is a rat in a cage, which is placed behind dowel bars. The handler may talk to their dog and encourage the dog to “work” the rat. The judge may also move the rat cage about or make noises to “incite the dog's instincts".
Junior Earthdog (JE) : Junior Earthdog (JE) is the first level of competition in which a title may be earned. In JE the tunnel is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and has three right-angle turns. The dog has only 30 seconds to traverse the tunnel and reach the quarry. The dog must also work the quarry for 60 seconds and then allow the handler to remove it when the time has elapsed. To earn the JE certificate, the dog must successfully pass the JE test twice under two different judges.
Senior Earthdog (SE) : To earn a Senior Earthdog (SE) title, the dog must receive three qualifying scores from two different judges, achieved by accomplishing the following: follow a 20 feet (6.1 m) scent line to a tunnel entrance that the dog cannot see from ground level; track through a pitch black 30 ft (9.1 m) tunnel containing three 90 degree turns to the rats; not be distracted by a false entrance/exit arrangement; not be distracted by a dead end tunnel that is scented with rat bedding; once at the rats, work the rats for 90 seconds (working is defined as barking, digging, scratching, biting the bars); after working the rats, and after the rats are removed from the tunnel, leave the tunnel when called by the handler and return to the handler within 90 seconds.
Master Earthdog (ME) : Master Earthdog is the ultimate title an earthdog can obtain. To achieve this title, two dogs are drawn at random. As a brace, the dogs hunt for the tunnel entrance from a distance of 100 to 300 yd (91.4 to 274.3 m). They must actively indicate where the tunnel entrance is located. Then, one at a time, the dogs move through the tunnel passing obstacles that simulate roots and constrictions in the tunnel. The master tunnel also has a false entrance/exit and a false den. Once at the quarry, dog must work the rats for 90 seconds and not be distracted by the judge scraping or digging alongside the tunnel. The scraping is meant to approximate the hunter digging down to the spot where the dog is holding the quarry at bay. The handler has 15 seconds to remove the dog from the tunnel after their 90 seconds of work is complete. Each dog is also judged on how well they "honor". While one dog is in the tunnel working, the other dog is staked out near the tunnel. The honor dog must show interest but must not make so much noise the judge cannot hear the dog working in the tunnel. Four passes under three different judges is required for a Master Earthdog title.
AWTA earthdog den trials
The AWTA predates the AKC earthdog program and was founded to promote and test the working abilities of terriers and dachshunds.The AWTA awards Certificates of Gameness to terriers and Dachshunds who achieve a score of 100% in the AWTA open class. To qualify in the open class, a dog must be released near the trial's 30 feet (9.1 m) earth tunnel opening, find its way into the tunnel and reach the quarry, all within 30 seconds (50% of score) and then “work” the rat continuously for a full 60 seconds (remaining 50% of score). Timing starts from the moment the dog is released by the handler. The dog may enter the tunnel and come out or walk around the tunnel, but it must get to the rat within the time allotted. However, once it reaches the rat, it must remain with it for the aforementioned 60 seconds.
The following breeds are recognized (and therefore able to compete) in AWTA den trials:
- Australian TerrierAustralian TerrierThe Australian Terrier is a small sized breed of dog of the terrier dog type. The breed was developed in Australia, although the ancestral types of dogs from which the breed descends were from Great Britain.- Appearance :...
- Bedlington TerrierBedlington TerrierThe Bedlington Terrier is a breed of terrier named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England.- Description :Appearance:...
- Border TerrierBorder TerrierThe Border Terrier is a small, rough-coated breed of dog of the terrier group. Originally bred as fox and vermin hunters, Border Terriers share ancestry with Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Bedlington Terriers....
- Cairn TerrierCairn TerrierThe Cairn Terrier is the oldest of the terrier breeds, originating in the Scottish Highlands and recognized as one of Scotland's earliest working dogs...
- Cesky TerrierCesky TerrierThe Cesky Terrier is a small terrier type dog originating in Czechoslovakia. The name is pronounced .- History :...
- DachshundDachshundThe dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied dog breed belonging to the hound family. The standard size dachshund was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, while the miniature dachshund was developed to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits...
- Dandie Dinmont TerrierDandie Dinmont TerrierA Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small Scottish breed of dog in the terrier family. The breed has a very long body, short legs, and a distinctive "top-knot" of hair on the head. A character in Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering has lent the name to the breed, with "Dandie Dinmont" thought to be...
- Fell TerrierFell TerrierFell Terrier refers to a regional type of long legged working terrier, not a specific breed of dog.- Description and purpose :Fell terriers are types of small working terriers developed in the Fell country of northern England and used as hunting dogs. They may be crossbred or purebred...
- Wire Fox Terrier
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- Glen of Imaal TerrierGlen of Imaal TerrierThe Glen of Imaal Terrier is a breed of dog of the terrier category and one of four Irish terrier breeds. It is sometimes called the Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Wicklow Terrier. It originates in the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow, Ireland...
- Jack Russell TerrierJack Russell TerrierThe Jack Russell terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or broken-coated which is commonly confused with the Parson Russell terrier and the Russell terrier with the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white...
- JagdterrierJagdterrierThe Jagdterrier is a type of working terrier, originating in Germany, that is used for hunting quarry both above and underground. This breed of terrier is also called the German Hunt Terrier.-Appearance:...
- Lakeland TerrierLakeland TerrierThe Lakeland Terrier is a dog breed, which takes its name from its home of origin, the Lake District in England. The dog is a small to mid-size member of the Terrier family. While independent in personality, it interacts well with owners and all family members, and is mostly hypo-allergenic...
- Norwich TerrierNorwich TerrierThe Norwich Terrier is a breed of dog. It originates in the United Kingdom and was bred to hunt small vermin or rodents.-Appearance:These terriers are one of the smallest terriers , with prick ears and a double coat, which come in red, tan, wheaten, black and tan, and grizzle.-Temperament:These...
- Norfolk TerrierNorfolk TerrierThe Norfolk Terrier is a British breed of dog. Prior to gaining recognition as an independent breed in 1960, it was a variety of the Norwich Terrier, distinguished from the "prick eared" Norwich by its "drop ears"...
- Patterdale TerrierPatterdale TerrierThe Patterdale Terrier is a breed of working dog that originated in the Lake District of Cumbria in Northwest England. The name Patterdale refers to a small village a little south of Ullswater and a few miles east of Helvellyn....
- Scottish TerrierScottish TerrierThe Scottish Terrier , popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog. Initially one of the highland breeds of Terrier that were grouped under the name of Skye Terrier, it is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland, the other four being the modern Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and...
- Sealyham TerrierSealyham TerrierThe Sealyham Terrier is a dog breed of the terrier type. The Sealyham Terrier was originally developed in Wales.- History :thumb|right|A Sealyham Terrier photographed in 1915....
- Skye TerrierSkye TerrierThe Skye Terrier is a breed of dog that is a long, low, hardy terrier.-Coat:The Skye is double coated, with a short, soft undercoat and a hard, straight topcoat. The ideal coat length is 5 inches , with no extra credit for a longer coat. The shorter hair of the head veils the forehead and...
- Welsh TerrierWelsh TerrierThe Welsh Terrier is a British breed of dog. It was originally bred for hunting fox, rodents and badger , but during the last century it has mainly been bred for showing. Despite this, it has retained its terrier strength of character and therefore requires firm, non-aggressive handling...
- West Highland White TerrierWest Highland White TerrierThe West Highland White Terrier, commonly known as the Westie, is a Scottish breed of dog with a distinctive white coat. The modern breed is descended from a number of breeding programes of white terriers in Scotland prior to the 20th century...
Other small terrier breeds may compete in the miscellaneous class.